Former Colts linebacker will open Georgia Reese's in August

Colts fans may not know that retired linebacker and Super Bowl champion Gary Brackett once worked as dish washer in a New Jersey restaurant.

"It was the bottom of the barrel," Brackett said of his first job as a teenager. "But you learned a lot. We made the most of it. An honest day's pay for an honest day's work. I've never been afraid of hard work."

Brackett now finds himself on the other end of the restaurant spectrum. He's the owner of Georgia Reese's Southern Table & Bar, a start-up soul food spot scheduled to open in August.

The football star spoke by phone Monday from the restaurant site, 3454 W. 86th St., where renovations are underway at the former home of an Outback Steakhouse in the Pyramid Place Shoppes.

Brackett said he wants to bring Indianapolis a first-rate supper club that serves tender oyster stew, smoked chicken wings, quinoa and sweet potato timbale and other Southern menu items.

"I felt we never had an upscale restaurant where you could go and still get the good, old home cooking that soul food provides you," he said.

Brackett said Georgia Reese's will distinguish itself by presenting live music on weekends, including during Sunday brunch.

The restaurant's name is inspired by Brackett's 9-month-old daughter, Georgia Reese Brackett.

He considered the name of his older daughter, Gabrielle, but that moniker was deemed as "not quite Southern enough" by his wife, Ragan, and friends. Gary and Ragan also are parents to Gary Jr.

" 'Georgia Reese' definitely hits home and resonates with a lot of people," Gary said. "It obviously holds a special place in my heart."

Bradley Phelps will serve as general manager for the restaurant, while Dwight Simmons will be the executive chef. Phelps' resume includes work at Harry & Izzy's, Columbia Club and Hillcrest Country Club. Simmons owns Indy Star Chefs Culinary Services.

Brackett's restaurant experience includes his investment and partnership in two Stacked Pickle bar and grill locations in Central Indiana. He said he looked into chain restaurant possibilities before founding Georgia Reese's.

"With an independent, you have more control over your restaurant and what you do inside your four walls," Brackett said.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.